Review of K Spa at K West Hotel, West Kensington

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K Spa at K West Hotel, West Kensington - 4 bubbles

Sassy Spy delved deep in to the world of K Spa at the very cool K West hotel in Shepherd's Bush, and found a stylish, newly refurbished spa. K Spa has a fantastic range of interesting treatments delivered particularly well, and good facilities, including a snow paradise for the brave.

First impressions?

How did they welcome you?

What happens next?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

How did you feel afterwards?

What happens afterwards?

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

The glass and steel-fronted hotel stood out amongst the surrounding buildings, but masked how large K West hotel really is. A doorman set the swivel door in motion for me to enter into the open-plan reception area, with the bar to my right. It looked very funky with purple furnishings.

How did they welcome you?

Anna and Laura met me at reception and took me on a tour of the hotel and spa. K West used to be BBC offices and the bedrooms are all fairly large and well equipped. Because the hotel is set into the ground on a slope, you actually find that you arrive on level three and need to go down to ground floor level to get to the spa. The lift door opened and in front of me was a glass-fronted spa shop and reception area, with shelves of Germaine de Cappucini and ESPA products. Everywhere was super shiny and new (the refurbishment had only just been completed) with cream-tiled floors, white cupboards and walls painted in muted spa tones. Agata, the spa receptionist, welcomed me with a hearty smile.

Through the shop is a relaxation room. Solid, stone-coloured rocking chairs sat at the edge of one side of the room, and seats with separate foot-rests on the other. Very cool. The room was lit with natural light through a huge glass-brick window. I helped myself to a variety of teas and from a large bowl of plums, apples and oranges. The relaxation room leads to seven ample-sized treatment rooms, including a double treatment room. This spacious treatment room houses two treatment couches, one being a dry floatation bed, as well as a Jacuzzi, sauna and shower area. Anna told me this room can be prepped with lots of candles to make it an ideal romantic pamper treat for two.

Back out of the spa reception was a long corridor with doors on either side leading to single-sex changing rooms, the Relaks relaxation room, and the wet spa area. I had a peek in the Sun Meadow room, which has a bed sunken into the floor. The lights around the ceiling give you a dose of "natural daylight" which is apparently good for people suffering with SAD.

What happens next?

I dined in Kanteen, K Spa's restaurant on the fourth floor, and feasted upon mozzarella, cherry-tomato and balsamic vinegar salad followed by fish cakes and sweet chilli sauce. The menu was appealing to all tastes and included contemporary cuisine such as salads, burgers, pasta, fish and chips, Thai curry, and steak.

I took the lift back down to the spa. Agata gave me a card key which allowed me access to the wet spa area. There were plenty of white fluffy towels in the spacious women's changing room, as well as 50 lockers and ample seating. On entering the wet spa, I was struck by the large, bubbling hydrotherapy pool directly ahead of me. The glass window in its side showed some metal loungers to rest upon as you are being pummelled. To my right were three coved seating areas where you cannot fail to put your feet up. It all looked very twinkly and inviting.

To my left was a wooden sanarium, a sauna, and a tiled steam room, which were all glass fronted. Next to the steam room was an ample amount of smaller towels, for hygienically perching upon within the thermal suite. The sanarium was heated to 60 degrees and was pleasant, but I wanted sizzling! So, I headed next door to the sauna, heated to 85 degrees. There was a bucket and ladle but no water. I looked to find some water, wanting to fill it. Sadly, I discovered there wasn't any, as there was no exposed heating element to pour it on! The bucket was just a nice prop. I was impressed when I looked up and out and saw the ceiling of the wet spa filled with twinkling lights: a lovely touch.

The snow paradise was a short hop past the two foot spas (which were out of action when I visited). I opened the door to a waft of frozen air and nearly turned back, but cold is supposed to be good for you so I was determined not to wimp out!

The snow paradise was dimly lit and had icicles hanging off the walls and powdered snow all over the floor. I hurriedly scooped up handfuls of powdery snow and rubbed it all over my arms and legs, then just as hurriedly got back in to the sauna. Bliss. The steam room was great. There were a couple of buttons on the walls which, when pressed, pumped out a gush of delicious hot steam from directly above. Press! Press! Press! I made it perfectly hot! The hydrotherapy pool was warm and great fun although the swan pipe was not working. There is also a gym (spacious and bright with plenty of equipment including a Power Plate) upstairs.

Which treatments did you have?

I had an Oriental Delight (75 minutes, £85). This treatment, devised by Germaine De Capuccini, used Saffron Delight massage oil, ostrich feathers, a silk foulard and K Spa's "exclusive stick". Intrigued? So was I...

What were the treatments like?

Fantastic. Lyudmila, my therapist, took me to the treatment room. The heated, adjustable couch was decoratively laden with two large feathers, a large piece of orange silk, and the "exclusive stick" which turned out to be a large, smooth goat's horn. My cossie was wet so Lyudmila asked me to remove it. No paper knickers were provided, but I didn't mind. Lyudmila left the room whilst I got naked and under cover. The air-con was loud and I did wonder how relaxing this treatment was going to be.

Fortunately Lyudmila turned the machinery off and dimmed the lights on re-entering the room. She asked what sort of pressure I liked and if there were any areas of concern. Then she adjusted the bed to a suitable position. As I lay on my back Lyudmila sprayed teak-scented mist high in the air and wafted the spray with the feathers. Lyudmila softly and rhythmically stroked the feathers up my arm, across my décolleté, and across my forehead before repeating on the other side, inducing serenity. Lyudmila then did the same to my legs, uncovering only one at a time so ensuring my modesty was protected. The stroking felt calming and, well, a little bit sensual.

Lyudmila intuitively massaged me all over using the delicate-smelling saffron oil. Lyudmila really worked into my knotted shoulders leaving me feeling ironed out. I was particularly impressed with my back massage, where Lyudmila worked on each vertebra along my back and neck. I could literally feel the tension slipping away. The exclusive stick was used to work into the tension in my feet and shoulders. Lyudmila used firm pressure throughout, as desired.

Before I turned over Lyudmila gave me a divine scalp massage and I drifted off. The silk foulard was an unusual yet effective part of the treatment. Lyudmila skilfully used it to lift and stretch parts of my body, limb by limb. It broke up the fluidity of the massage, as I needed to shuffle about a bit. However, I loved it when Lyudmila shimmied the silk under my shoulders to my ribs, then picked up either side to lift me up and give me stretch around my ribcage. Finally, Lyudmila skilfully managed to remove the cover I was under and leave me completely covered in the silk foulard.

How did you feel afterwards?

It took me a while to realise the treatment was over! I felt completely relaxed yet invigorated, and simply great. The Oriental Delight was an unusual treatment, but I felt pleased that I had tried and liked something new.

What happens afterwards?

Lyudmila asked me to get ready in my own time and meet her outside. I snuck a peep at the saffron oil and saw that it was more a pinky-orange goo than a liquid oil. I loved that it left my skin feeling moisturised and not greasy. Lyudmila accompanied me to Relaks, through the relaxation room, the brightly lit reception, and part way down the central corridor. Relaks is a dimly lit room with eight recliners complete with headphones playing chill-out music and a reading light. There was a bowl of fruit, a jug of citrus-infused water and plenty of magazines. Very stylish and comfortable.

Was it worth it?

I would come back to K Spa for a spa day. I would also pay the £25 charge to use the facilities if I were staying at the hotel. It would be quite an expensive treat, but I'd say it was worth it.

What else could you have?

A whole range of Germaine de Cappucini, ESPA, Ytsara, and Crystal Clear treatments. The treatments are varied and extensive, with a wonderful selection of Thai-inspired treatments. There are also treatments based on chocolate, coffee or wine. Along the corridor is a separate, spotless room where you can have manicures and pedicures, using LCN products, as well as waxing, eyelash and eyebrow tinting and shaping.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

Use of the spa is included in the price if you book a treatment that is two hours or longer. You will need a pound coin for your locker. That I would like to be a pop star and stay in one of the impressive K-suites, complete with free-standing double-ended bath and squishy sofas.

Any special features?

The snow paradise; it was great fun to flit between the sauna, steam and snow. A real zingy experience! The unusual and interesting treatments.

Who do you think would like it?

As K West is near the 02 Shepherd's Bush Empire and some media offices, this fantastically located hotel attracts the cool crowd. Musicians and media types flock here for the laid-back, funky atmosphere. K Spa is ideally situated for BBC staff, Olympia exhibition delegates and Notting Hillbillies in general. Weary shoppers would like K Spa as it's located near High Street Ken and Westfield is less than five minutes' walk away.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave K Spa 4 bubbles -- and a really high 4 bubbles at that! I loved the fabulous variety of experiences that you can have within the spa, the range of treatments, and the quality of treatments.

There were a few niggles: the carpeted corridor that divides the spa in two is brightly lit and breaks the spa atmosphere. The floors in the changing rooms were in need of a mop. There weren't enough cleansing products in all of the showers. There was only one chair to sit to do make-up with one hairdryer and one set of straighteners, which would be a cause for concern at peak times.

See more on how we rate the spas

Would you go again?

Yes, for a girly shopping trip, revitalise in the spa, then lounge in the bar whilst the DJs play into the evening. If I lived or worked nearby, I would definitely pop in for the odd spa indulgence..

We visited K Spa in February 2010

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